Looking for help! first time on forum.

Hello There,
I just finished up my BA requirements at Thomas Edison, and am looking for a Masters degree in Counseling. Here's my dilemma: I'm 54, and can't afford the cost of most programs. If I was younger, they may pay off...but I'm not so sure, if I don't have my degree until the ripe age of 57 ish.... I've got plenty of energy, the workload isn't a problem. Any ideas??? I appreciate any and all suggestions... I live in Oregon...and still LOVE my DUCKS!

There are two things I'd like to contribute. The first, in case you missed it, is that we have a sticky thread related to the cost of MA Psych programs. I'm not sure if you've seen it but if not then it's probably worth the few minutes it will take to read it through.

The second thing is about ROI (return on investment). Anyone who has read this forum knows that I'm all about "doing it on the cheap." To a large extent, the cheapest program is the best program AFAIC. However, I also think that there's a less tangible aspect to ROI and it should not be dismissed in these discussions. The piece that sometimes gets missed is "lifestyle."

If I want to buy a house then I can buy the cheapest house on the market and be happy that I made the best deal around. However, if I love to surf (surfdoctor, you out there?) then it might be worth it to me to spend more money, maybe even a lot more money, if that expenditure allows me to pursue the lifestyle that I want. ROI is not just about $$$. It's about happiness. If you believe that your happiness is integrally linked to a certain career track then it could well be worth going into debt in order to give yourself the opportunity to pursue that specific career track. If you're 50something the you could expect to work in your profession for another 20+ years. Would you like to be happy during those years, doing something that is meaningful to you? How much might that be worth? Isn't that ROI?uttahere:

There are two things I'd like to contribute. The first, in case you missed it, is that we have a sticky thread related to the cost of MA Psych programs. I'm not sure if you've seen it but if not then it's probably worth the few minutes it will take to read it through.

The second thing is about ROI (return on investment). Anyone who has read this forum knows that I'm all about "doing it on the cheap." To a large extent, the cheapest program is the best program AFAIC. However, I also think that there's a less tangible aspect to ROI and it should not be dismissed in these discussions. The piece that sometimes gets missed is "lifestyle."

If I want to buy a house then I can buy the cheapest house on the market and be happy that I made the best deal around. However, if I love to surf (surfdoctor, you out there?) then it might be worth it to me to spend more money, maybe even a lot more money, if that expenditure allows me to pursue the lifestyle that I want. ROI is not just about $$$. It's about happiness. If you believe that your happiness is integrally linked to a certain career track then it could well be worth going into debt in order to give yourself the opportunity to pursue that specific career track. If you're 50something the you could expect to work in your profession for another 20+ years. Would you like to be happy during those years, doing something that is meaningful to you? How much might that be worth? Isn't that ROI?uttahere:

Click to expand...

Ahhh, I give that lecture myself .... to many middle school students! I needed to hear that...however, I still need to find the money to pay for the degree. Unfortunately, I hit right at the breaking point of no Financial aid...So being realistic, I do need to look at cost, so that I can pay for the education. My husband just went back to work after a year's layoff, and is now underemployed...so...I'm searching...I will only go for something that will make me happy...just looking at options. I will check out the Psychology thread...THANKS!!

I'll put my 50 cents in and plug the idea of looking for an MSW instead of an MA Psychology/LPC. MSWs, as far as I know, can do just about everything an LPC can do, and in most states have an even wider scope of practice (individual therapy, institutional and governmental settings, and private industry).

There are a number of low-cost bricks-and-mortar MSW programs around, and a few online ones. If you don't have a BSW, it's usually a 2 year program. If you do a search for "social work" or "MSW", there are a number of threads here on it. University of Southern California has a really well respected distance-based program that isn't outrageously priced, you might check that one out as well.

The above mentions of 'lifestyle' are very valid concerns; however the QoL issue is as difficult to predict as it is to qualify. Oddly enough I found myself enjoying my time at community college far more than the four-year I eventually attended. It seemed counter-intuitive at the time and I was a little confused at my own reaction, yet in hindsight I was able to realize what the competing factors were. As I see it there are 2 over-arching concerns that are sometimes overlooked:

1. The right type of education for you - not just a blanket-stated 'good one'. Do you prefer a studious and calm environment or a lively and chaotic one? etc.

2. Time out of the classroom (if you're stressing over nickels and dimes or disruptive travel times it can effect your general performance as well as state of mind)

Both issues can be very difficult to examine without the benefit of hindsight.

With that said there's only so much time that one can spend fretting about the details. Here's an useful resource that sums up what is available in Oregon, both online and on-campus, with average tuition and physical addresses.